The Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) has dismissed claims that the outcome of the August 22, 2026 local government elections has already been determined, insisting that only votes cast by the electorate on election day will decide the winners.
The assurance was given during a stakeholders' engagement organised by the commission at the EBSIEC Annex in Abakaliki, where representatives of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), political parties, security agencies, the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Ohanaeze Ndigbo, persons with disabilities, civil society organisations and the media reviewed the commission's level of preparedness for the polls.
Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of EBSIEC, Patrick Enyi, said the commission was fully prepared to conduct a free, fair, credible and transparent election that would reflect the genuine will of the people.
He assured political parties, security agencies and voters that all necessary arrangements had been concluded to guarantee a peaceful and acceptable electoral process across the state.
"We want Ebonyi people to vote freely and without fear. Whoever the people elect will be declared the winner. We are also open to constructive observations from stakeholders because no institution is above improvement, but we are determined to conduct an election that will stand as a model for other states," Enyi said.
The EBSIEC chairman stressed that the commission would not tolerate intimidation, compromise or any form of electoral malpractice, urging security agencies to strengthen collaboration with the electoral body to ensure the safety of voters, election officials and electoral materials before, during and after the exercise.
He also commended Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for providing the commission with the logistics, funding and operational support required to conduct the election, expressing confidence that the exercise would further strengthen democratic governance at the grassroots.
Also speaking, the Head of Information, Voter Education and Publicity, Collins Agbo, said EBSIEC had complied with all statutory requirements by publishing the election notice 360 days before the poll in accordance with the Electoral Act and the Ebonyi State electoral laws.
Agbo said the commission had intensified voter education and sensitisation campaigns across the 13 local government areas to encourage eligible voters to participate actively in the election.
He dismissed allegations that the outcome of the poll had already been decided, maintaining that the electorate alone would determine the winners through their votes.
"Only votes cast on election day will determine the winners. Claims that the election outcome has already been decided are false and unfounded," he said.
On logistics, the Commissioner in charge of Logistics and Field Operations, Dr. Hyacinth Nwoba, disclosed that both sensitive and non-sensitive election materials were ready for deployment across the state's 171 electoral wards and 2,947 communities.
He added that all polling units would open at 7:30 a.m. on election day, noting that adequate transportation arrangements had been concluded for electoral personnel and materials.
The Commissioner in charge of Legal and Security, Barr. Stanley Odanwo, warned political parties and their supporters against violence, ballot box snatching, voter intimidation and campaigning within 24 hours of the election.
According to him, offenders would be arrested and prosecuted in line with the provisions of the EBSIEC bylaws.
Odanwo said the commission was working closely with the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
Also, the Commissioner for Administration and General Services, Dr. Collins Irem, said the commission had strengthened the capacity of its workforce through intensive training to promote professionalism and transparency during the exercise.
The commission assured stakeholders that adequate funding had been made available to cover election logistics, personnel and other operational requirements.
Earlier, stakeholders, including the Ebonyi State Director of the National Orientation Agency, Mrs. Chinyere Nnenna Okogwu, IPAC Chairperson, Mrs. Queendaline Nwigwe, ADC State Chairperson, Dr. Mrs. Jennifer Adibe-Nwafor, representatives of persons with disabilities, political parties and civil society organisations, pledged their commitment to supporting a peaceful, credible and transparent local government election.
The meeting also featured the unveiling of EBSIEC's Vision and Mission Statements. The commission adopted the vision, "To be the foremost state election management body in Nigeria, noted for sound democratic practices and electoral integrity," and the mission, "To regularly conduct free, fair and transparent local government elections in Ebonyi State that meet the expectations of Ebonyi people and the benchmark for national acceptability," as guiding principles for its operations.
